Hitman team taking an “open, non-linear level design” approach to next iteration

In an open letter to fans on the website, IO states the game is currently in development for PC and next-gen consoles, and players will don the suit of a “globetrotting Agent 47” in the prime of his career.

“In the next game you will experience a globetrotting Agent 47 at the prime of his career – the apex predator stalking his prey across the world, with the support of his long-term handler Diana Burnwood and the whole of the ICA,” reads the letter. “The game concentrates on the core Hitman fantasy of using a wide range of tools to take out a diverse group of targets across expansive, exotic locations around the world.

“We are building this game on the backbone of the Glacier 2 engine, using the best parts and what we have learnt through Hitman: Absolution and drawing inspiration from past titles like Contracts and Blood Money to fulfill the core Hitman fantasy. That means we’re packing in an extreme level of detail on the largest levels we have ever built for a Hitman game.

“We’ve adopted an open, non-linear level design approach to the game, ensuring the game will play out across huge, checkpoint-free, sandbox levels. Our aim is to create living, breathing and believable levels which will allow gamers to play around with the AI to create those unique moments every fan of the Hitman franchise loves.”

IO goes on state that Contracts Mode is back, allowing players to create and build challenges “by experimenting with the large levels and possibilities within them.” These can be shared and friends can be challenged to complete you list of hits.